Homemade Tomato Bisque + Herbed Grilled Cheese
There’s nothing like the cozy warmth of a homemade tomato bisque recipe paired with herbed grilled cheese sandwiches. With roasted tomatoes, creamy coconut milk, and a hint of garam masala, this easy-to-make meal is comfort food perfect for cool evenings.
There is something quintessentially fall about a good tomato soup and grilled cheese! This recipe is a favorite in our house and brings so much flavor with roasted tomatoes, creamy coconut milk (but no coconut taste!) and herbed goat cheese. While 100% kid-approved, this pairing is definitely not just for kids!
I love making my tomato soup from scratch, but if we don’t have time there are some really good, clean options from Trader Joe’s! We’ve tried their ‘Autumn Harvest’ and ‘Pumpkin Bisque’ and enjoyed them both…though not quite as much as our homemade tomato bisque recipe!
What is Tomato Bisque + Herbed Grilled Cheese?
A tomato bisque is basically a creamy, smooth, and slightly rich tomato soup. I find it to be a bit more luxurious than your basic tomato soup because it typically includes cream (or a dairy substitute, of course!) that gives it a thicker, more velvety texture. The flavors of the Roma tomatoes are sweet and slightly tangy, and with flavorful ingredients like garam masala, it’s pure comfort in a bowl!
When we have this delicious tomato bisque, we like to pair it with herbed grilled cheese sandwiches. But these aren’t your average grilled cheeses—they’re made with a twist! I add a healthy smear of goat cheese for that extra bit of flavor.
Why make this Tomato Bisque + Herbed Grilled Cheese?
Making tomato bisque with herbed grilled cheese sandwiches isn’t just about preparing a meal—it’s about creating a cozy, comforting experience for everyone around the table. This classic combo feels nostalgic but elevated, making it a familiar family meal with an upgrade. Here’s why you’ll want to make and serve this delectable meal:
- It’s comfort food at its best. The rich and (dairy-free) creamy bisque pairs so well with the crispy herbed grilled cheese. It’s the perfect combo of comfort and warmth.
- It’s easy to make. There are only a handful of ingredients in the bisque, and the grilled cheese sandwiches are quick and easy add-on.
- It’s kid-friendly. Both kids and adults love this meal! It’s familiar but with herbed goat cheese adding a bit of extra flavor.
- It’s affordable. The ingredients for both the bisque and the sandwiches are simple and budget-friendly. You may already have most of them in your pantry!
- It’s great for any season. Soups and bisques are typically a cold-weather favorite, but the light flavor of the tomatoes and fresh herbs means it works all year round.
This tomato bisque recipe with herbed grilled cheese is the perfect balance of cozy, satisfying, and family-approved! Try it and you’ll see what I mean.
Tomato Bisque + Herbed Grilled Cheese Ingredients
- Roma tomatoes
- Sweet onion
- Garlic bulbs
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- Coconut milk
- Vegetable broth
- Tomato paste
- Garam masala
- Bread: We like the gluten-free white bread from Trader Joe’s, but use what you like!
- Cheddar cheese: We prefer grass-fed cheddar sliced from a block of cheese.
- Herbed goat cheese
- Butter or ghee
Tomato Bisque + Herbed Grilled Cheese Variations
- Creamy tomato basil bisque: For a fragrant and slightly sweet flavor, consider blending in a handful of fresh basil leaves right before serving.
- Tomato and roasted pepper bisque: Add roasted red peppers into the soup along with the tomatoes for a more complex, smoky flavor.
- Caramelized onion and herbed grilled cheese: For an indulgent kick, add a layer of sweet, caramelized onions between the cheese slices.
I hope you love this recipe!
Tomato Bisque + Herbed Grilled Cheese
This tomato bisque and herbed grilled cheese brings so much flavor with roasted tomatoes, creamy coconut milk (but no coconut taste!), and herbed goat cheese.
Ingredients
For Roasting the Vegetables:
- 5 pounds of Roma tomatoes, washed & sliced in half
- 1 large sweet onion, peeled & sliced
- 2-3 large garlic bulbs, prepared for roasting
- Extra virgin olive oil, salt & pepper
For the Bisque:
- 3 cups roasted tomatoes
- 2 T roasted garlic flesh
- All of the roasted sweet onion
- 1 can light coconut milk (reserve 2-3 tbsp for garnish)
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 T tomato paste
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Herbed Grilled Cheese
- 2 slices bread of choice
- 4 slices of sharp, grass-fed cheddar
- Healthy smear of herbed goat cheese
- Butter or ghee
Instructions
Tomato Bisque:
- Preheat oven to 400F and line 2 baking sheets with tin foil (note that parchment paper will burn). To prep the garlic, cut off the top enough to expose the garlic cloves, then place in foil and drizzle with olive oil. Close the foil around the garlic and place in the oven. For the onions and tomatoes, drizzle a bit of olive oil, then season with salt + pepper. Roast everything for about 30 minutes, then remove the onions. Continue roasting the garlic for about 60 minutes, and the tomatoes for about 1 hour and 20 mins. Your oven times will vary though, so keep an eye on them!
- Add 3 cups roasted tomatoes, 2 tbsp roasted garlic flesh, and all the onion into a large pot. Add coconut milk, tomato paste, and broth and stir well.
- Stir in the seasonings and spices, then bring to a boil and simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender to blend to desired consistency! We like to leave small pieces of roasted tomato in ours. Serve immediately and garnish with reserved coconut milk, a sprinkle of garam masala, fresh black pepper, and our favorite simple herbed grilled cheese.
Herbed Grilled Cheese:
- Add butter/ghee to one side of the bread, and place it butter-side down in a pan, then layer on the cheddar cheese.
- On the other piece of bread, spread a generous amount of the herbed goat cheese, then place it on top of the bread in the pan – cheese to cheese. Add a little butter/ghee to the exposed side of the remaining bread.
- Once the cheddar begins to melt, flip the sandwich and cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
Serve along with the tomato soup and enjoy!
Notes
Not a fan of goat cheese? Elevate your sandwich with a mix of sharp cheddar and gruyere – another favorite over here! Also, when you make this recipe definitely leave a comment below, share a picture and tag me over on Instagram!
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